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Travels Slides Presentation Shinto Religion

Purpose Statement Shinto is a Japanese indigenous religion, locally known as  kannagara no michi. the religious term Shinto is used in reference to the localized and diversified belief, institutions, ritual and ceremonial practices in religion. The study of the Shinto religion is focused on the local Japanese communities, as it elaborates on their sophisticated culture based on their practices, ceremonies and beliefs. The study cuts across the pre-historical time to the present time and the growth and changes that the religion has faced.

Definition of the Shinto Religion Shinto is religion, wholly dedicated to a living a life in this world, portraying the essence of man’s good. The religion shares similarities with the Confucianism and Buddhism’s cultural, spiritual and political structures and role. The religion has been a major part of the Japanese culture and lifestyle, which cuts across the country’s history. Not until 1947 was the religion called off from being the national religion. This was after the world war 2, when the state and Shinto separate. A religion used to connect both the past and the present. The Shino is also locally referred to as kami-no-mich by the Natives.

Shinto Religion phenomenology Shinto religion is practically the vastest religious practice in Japan to date, since the people of Japan have consistently practiced the religion for centuries alongside Buddhism. (232) Although, along the two practices, differences have constantly spout between the two religions. One of the distinct contrasts between the two is; Buddhism is mainly focused on the peace accorded to the deceased souls; while for Shinto mainly channels its focus on prosperity and general happiness of one’s life on earth. The word “Shinto” means the “ways of the gods”. Scholars state that the Shinto is one of the that has continuously exhibited lack of change or influence by modernization and changing times. Currently, about 80% of the Japan population still practise their beliefs in the religion.

Origin of the Religion In the early times, the Japanese came up with stories an rituals that told more about their historical roots. (Hardacre) He stories developed were based on ancient mythology, trying to explain the origin of their people and the Land of Japan.  This was also a means of explaining their own understanding of the universe, and a way to create guidelines of the lives that they lead. The myths are estimated to have risen in the sixth century when the Chinese culture had evident influence on the Japanese culture. Both the Chinese and the Koreans have a significant influence in the development of the religion. The original Japanese description does not refer to a Shinto as a unified religion, but as a collection of beliefs by the native Japanese communities. Not until the 18th century, was the Shinto’s practices put in record by Nihon Shoki  and Kojiki. Shinto religion has no precise pioneer.

An illustration of one of the Shinto shrines.

Shinto Shrines The Shinto shrines were mostly constructed within the compliment of nature, so as to accord it the respect and appreciation it deserved. The Shinto Worship shrines are highly ritualized, and placed within it are strict protocol, control and order that should be followed. Most of the Japanese ceremonies and matsuri (festivals) are conducted at the Shinto shrines so that they can share the experiences of the world with the Kami who live within the shrines The Shinto temples have a rich sense of their ancient culture and how it has been consistently conserved over time. This is depicted in the architectural designs that the shrines are constructed with, displaying the ancient art form. Attending prayers or any form of religious activities in the Shinto shrines has no specific day, it is at one’s will.

Priests and priestess’ attending a worship session in the shrines.

Worship In respect of the religion’s value, rituals are supposed to be conducted in the spirit of purity, sincerity and cheerfulness. The main purpose of the rituals carried out is to meet the satisfaction of the mind and the senses of those who take part. Carrying out the rituals is meet by strict protocol; specific dress code for the priests, use of specific sound and, use of speech and language that should please the Kami. Unlike other religions, the Shintoists do not have a central text such as the Christians have the bible , but they have books of lore, the document and narrate the religion’s believes. Both women and men can become priests and they are not restricted to marriage or having children either. The Shinto Priests often live within the shrine grounds and the carry out religious rituals and officiate over religious ceremonies.

The Kami that the Shintoist’s worship

Kami Kami are the Shinto’s religion spirits that people worship and make sacrifices to. They are more like the “Shinto gods” (Fieldstad) The Kami spirits can be portrayed in different manners such as trees, rocks, people or places. The origin of creation of the Japanese is based on the Kami’s action; Izanami and Izanagi. The eight perfect Japanese islands were created by these two Kami through bearing of offspring. During the birth of the offspring, Izanami died. True to the nature of their true love, Izanagi, the Kami of fire, followed her to afterlife

People attending worship sessions in the Shinto shrines.

Significance and Importance of the Shinto Religion Taking part in the religious rituals is the significant factor, which makes it entirely important According to the Shinto’s the longer one participates in prayer and ritual, them more significance and greatness they bring to their experience in the religion. When many people participate in the religious activity as one, this is believed to strengthen the unity of the community as they even share a similar believe. Visitors and spectators of the religious rituals and ceremonies are also considered as participants, and they are believed to benefit from the entire experience. When a group of Shinto believers come together and converse more on their religion, they are believed to bring a sense of conjecture between the past and the present.

Shinto shrine located in the forest.

Geographical Significance of the Religion and to the People. In the ancient times, the ancestors held their ritual and ceremonial sessions to Kami in quiet locations such as forests and mountains. This is because the Kami’s image were substituted for natural figures such as large trees and stones or other natural figures, and this were referred to as Yoshishiro. The hidden quite locations that were used gradually evolved into the well-known shrines today, with the word “shrine” meaning “forests and mountains” in Japanese. The main significance behind the correlation of nature, geographical locations and the Shinto religions, was the people mainly built this shrines with the intent of attracting Kami. The Yoshishiro are immensely considered sacred and are surrounded by Shimenawa, a sacred rope.

Conclusion Shinto is a religion that tries to reach out the human race on the positive side of life, pointing out the essence of appreciation life while it lasts. The Shinto religion is optimistically targeted towards drawing a positive contribution to the human race to preserve the environment around them. In the Asian culture (the Japanese), the Shinto religion has been blended into their political structure, so as to try and draw human endeavour into environmentalism.

Work Cited Hardacre, Helen. Shinto. Oxford University Press, 2016. Mullins, Mark R. "Religion in Occupied Japan: The Impact of SCAP’s Policies on Shinto." Belief and Practice in Imperial Japan and Colonial Korea. Springer Singapore, 2017. 229-248. Fjeldstad, Lisa Camilla Frøyshov. The Many faces of Shinto. A study of Shinto’s presence in interpersonal behaviour, ritual activities, popular culture and politics. MS thesis. The University of Bergen, 2016. Toji, Kamata. "Shinto Research and the Humanities in Japan." Zygon® 51.1 (2016): 43-62.